School Counsellor

Department: Whole School (EYFS-Year 10)

Line Manager: Head of Pastoral

INTRODUCTION TO STONYHURST INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, PENANG

Stonyhurst International School Penang is a new co-educational school for

pupils from 3 years to 18 years from all religious denominations and secular belief systems.

At capacity the school will cater for 1,200 students. The school aims to be the premier values-based international school in Penang, focussed on achieving the best possible academic outcomes for students alongside developing pupils

who are critical thinkers, problem solvers and most importantly, are inspired to be men and

women for others. 

Stonyhurst International School, Penang will offer a truly unique educational experience for

students through our deeply personalised learning, coaching, advisory and counselling

programmes. The organisational structure of our school will allow us to allocate students an

individual learning coach and mentor that will guide them through their entire learning

journey with us. 

Students will be offered explicit opportunities to work alongside both older and younger

students as part of their coaching group, developing a genuine sense of cohesion and

friendship between our senior and junior students. All of our students will undergo coaching

and advisory training and take an active part in mentoring students across the school. 

Stonyhurst International School opened in September 2022 with an enrolment of

340 students from Nursery through to Year 9. Over the following years the school will

expand to a maximum enrolment of approximately 1200 students.

About the Role

Purpose of the Position

The whole School Counsellor (EYFS to Year 10) promotes and enhances student achievement through the provision of a high-quality counselling service for students experiencing a wide range of social and emotional challenges and concerns. To support the School’s endeavour to ensure that all students flourish at school and beyond the School Counsellor will provide wider support, advice and guidance to staff, parents, guardians and the School as required.

About the Department

The School Counsellor is an integral part of the Pastoral Care Department in the School, which will consist of the Head of EAL, Head of AEN, School Nurse and Form Tutors. The counsellor plays proactive and reactive roles within the wider pastoral team to support and ensure the wellbeing and welfare of our students. The counsellor is central to our safeguarding provision in the School and will establish excellent links with wider support services in Penang and Malaysia wide. The counsellor is an active member of the local counselling network whom they draw upon for support and also provide support when needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Counselling Responsibilities

1. Ensure active membership of a professional body relating to counselling or psychotherapy and adhere to an ethical framework or code which gives guidance and standards for good practice

2. Promote a caring and supportive environment for students in which their concerns may be explored

3. Work with students with a diverse range of issues including bereavement and loss, transition to new school, eating disorders, self-harm, depression, anger issues, concerning behaviours , abuse of any kind, anxiety, fears and diagnosed mental health conditions. 

4. Practise preventative and/or interventionist methods to meet students immediate and future needs including:

a. Individual or group counselling to students with identified concerns and needs

b. Effective consultation and collaboration with parents/guardians and school colleagues,

particularly the pastoral, learning support and safeguarding teams regarding students with

identified concerns and needs

c. Appropriate use of assessment tools for determining and structuring counselling sessions

d. Referrals to other school support services

e. Referrals/signposting to external sources of psychological/psychiatric support

5. Ensure appropriate confidentiality of sensitive information; maintain appropriate and confidential records of counselling sessions and support

6. Identify trends and patterns of concerns, potential causes and possible supports

7. Meet weekly with Head of Pastoral to discuss active caseload

8. Maintain anonymised data such as numbers of students who use the service, age range and types of problems that present to the counselling service for presentation to the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Governors.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

1. Have a full and detailed knowledge of the school’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures

2. Receive appropriate safeguarding training and refresher training regularly, Stonyhurst Penang is committed to the safety and protection of children. All employees are expected to comply with our School Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.

3. Attend relevant meetings/case conferences to discuss student safeguarding and pastoral/wellbeing concerns and needs

Networking Responsibilities

1. Develop a thorough knowledge of mental health services available locally and develop strong working relationships with specialists such as clinical or educational psychologists and psychiatrists within these services

2. Network with personnel from other agencies and counsellors from other local schools

Other Responsibilities

1. Participate in professional development activities, keep up-to-date with research, developments and best practice for counselling with the intention of improving professional knowledge and skills as well as the counselling service provided

2. Assist with the school’s Pastoral Curriculum and Programmes (Peer Coaching)

3. Contribute to the school’s PSHE programme; contribute to projects and committees such as those representing wellbeing, student voice etc

4. Provide assistance to other schools in crisis situations if required

5. Arrange and deliver relevant training for staff as and when needs are identified

6. Follow all agreed school policies and procedures

7. Run or support purposeful extra curricular activities and contribute to the wider life of the school and your Line

8. Undertake other reasonable duties deemed necessary for the effective operation of the school as requested by the Head of Pastoral or Principal

Requirements

● Postgraduate Diploma or Masters level in counselling or a related field

● Minimum three years working in a School as a counsellor

● A commitment to living the Jesuit Virtues

● Further therapeutic training or qualification in working with children and young people

● An understanding of the developmental, emotional, social and educational issues of children and young people

● An awareness of the range of needs of people from diverse ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds

● Knowledge of relevant legislation pertaining to the safeguarding of children, (Keeping Children Safe in Education UK 2021, Children Act 2004 and Thai Child Protection Act 2546 (2003))

● Good written and verbal communication skills

● Ability to work independently

● Positive communication and listening skills

● Ability to build appropriate relationships

● Patience, tolerance and sensitivity

● A mature and non-judgemental outlook